Suitcase accessible from opposite sides



March 13, A M, ES

SUITCASE ACCESSIBLE FROM OPPOSITE SIDES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed 001. 7. 1953 Inventor E. A. M. HAES 2,738,041

SUITCASE ACCESSIBLE FROM OPPOSITE SIDES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 13, 1956 Filed Oct. 7, 1953 T 22 I2 20 A /3 4 I6 22 3 Inventor V "14 Home United States Patent Claims priority, application Great Britain October 10, 1952 1 Claim. (Cl. 190-51) This invention relates to suitcases and the like and has for its object to facilitate the removal of articles from a suitcase without unduly disturbing other articles packed therein and to this end in a suitcase according to this invention the top and bottom thereof both constitute lids.

According to a feature of this invention there is provided at least one member adapted to be arranged in the suitcase in a plane substantially parallel to the lids when closed so as to divide the internal space of the suitcase into a plurality of superimposed portions.

Preferably the suitcase is provided with straps secured therein and adapted in conjunction with the dividing member positively to hold packed articles so that they cannot move about inside the suitcase.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows in perspective a suitcase according to one embodiment with the top lid thereof raised and one side of the wall thereof partially broken away,

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section through the suitcase shown in Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section through a suitcase according to another embodiment, and

Figure 4 is a section on the line IV-IV of Figure 3.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings the front of the wall of the suitcase shown therein is designated 1, the back 2 and the sides 3. Hinged to the upper end of the back 2 is a top lid 4 and hinged to the lower end of the back 2 is a bottom lid 5. Suitable locking means, indicated by the reference 'numerals 6 and 7, are provided on each lid and the front 1 of the suitcase respectively for securing the lid in its closed position.

A strip of wood 8 is secured by studs 9 to the back 2 midway between and parallel to the upper and lower edges thereof. The strip 8 is stitched into one edge of and therefore serves to anchor a flap, indicated generally by the reference numeral 10, consisting of a double thickness of a fabric material, preferably of a semi-stiff material, this flap 10 comprising a section 10 into the edge of which the strip 8 is actually stitched, and a section 10 a line of stitching 11 forming the dividing line between the two sections. The section 10 is of substantially the same length as the strip 8 and in width is approximately equal to half the height of the back 2, while the section 10 is slightly smaller in area than the horizontal cross-sectional area of the inside of the suitcase. Into the free edge of the section 10 is stitched a second strip 8 which serves as a stiffener therefor.

The studs 9 securing the strip of wood 8 each pass through approximately the centre of a strap 12. As shown in the drawings these straps preferably pass between the strip 8 and the back 2 and each is provided at the free ends thereof with buckles 13.

To the inside of the front, opposite the studs 9 are secured by studs 9 two short vertical straps 14 on which are mounted adjustable slides 15. Two further straps 16 2,738,041 Patented Mar. 13, 1956 2 are attached at approximately the centres thereof to the slides 15, the free ends of'these straps being adapted to pass through the buckles 13 of the oppositely disposed t ps v When packing a suitcase as described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings one lid, say top lid 4, is opened, the ppperrnofs't buckles '13 are undone and the straps 1'2 an d 16 a'nd the flap 10 are folded back out of the way. Articles are thenpacked into the case until itisgfor xamp1e,;asoutna1r run when the section 10 of the flap 10 is spread over the packed articles. Further articles are packed until the suitcase is full when the straps 16 and the uppermost buckles are re-engaged, the straps being pulled tight so that the packed articles are firmly held in position. Finally the top lid 4 is closed and secured. When it is desired to remove any particular article from the suitcase the top lid 4 or the bottom lid 5 is opened according to whether the article in question was packed above or below the section 10 of the flap 10.

The positioning of the section 10 of the flap 10 may be varied. It may be disposed nearer one lid than the other, for example, so as to segregate a dress suit or evening gown from other articles packed in the suitcase. Also when all the articles to be packed are only going to half-fill the suitcase, the flap 10 and the straps may be employed to secure the articles so that they cannot move about in the suitcase while it is being carried.

The lids of the suitcase are preferably marked so that the one it is desired to open can easily be identified.

With reference to Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings reference numerals thereon identical with those used on Figures 1 and 2 indicate parts constructed and arranged as described above with reference to Figures l and 2. The strip 8 and the vertical straps 14 are omitted, the studs 9 serving only to locate the straps 12, each of which is provided at the end thereof with a buckle 13 and the straps 16 being secured in exactly the same way as the straps 12 by studs 9 A pair of substantially rigid boards 20, 21 each slightly smaller in area than the horizontal cross sectional area of the inside of the suitcase, are engaged with the straps 12 and 16, the latter being passed under straps 22 secured to the outer surfaces of the boards.

This arrangement provides means for dividing the interior of the suitcase into three, that is with the boards 20, 21 arranged as shown in the drawings, or into two, that is with the two boards together. Other ways of arranging the boards are readily apparent and to facilitate the handling thereof lifting tabs 23 are provided at the edges thereof.

When all the articles to be packed will only partly fill the suitcase they may be packed between the boards 20, 21 when arranged as shown in the drawings.

Furthermore the boards 20, 21 may be placed inside the lids of the suitcase to strengthen them when rough handling of the suitcase is expected.

' I claim:

In a suitcase the combination of a body part open at the top and the bottom, covers hinged to said body part and serving to close said open top and bottom, a pair of members adapted to be located within said body part in plane substantially parallel to the covers when closed so as to enable the internal space of the body part to be divided into a plurality of superimposed compartments, a pair of straps secured in spaced relationship to the interior of said body part at the front thereof, a further pair of straps secured in spaced relationship to the interior of said body part at the back thereof, the two pairs of straps being oppositely disposed with respect to each other, the means for securing each strap to said body part passing through approximately the centre point of the strap and being fixed in the wall of the body part References Cited inthe file of this patent approximately mid-way between the top and bottom UNITED STATES PATENTS thereof, loop elements provided on the outer surface of one of said dividing members for receiving the end por- 5561526 Baker M311 1896 tions of the straps above the fixing means therefor, fur- 5 756,925 Wood p 12, 1904 ther loop elements provided on the outer surface of the 775,243 Anderson 1904 other dividing member for receiving the other end por- @6912 Plke P 4, 1905 tions of the straps, and buckle elements provided at the v 9/ 21323 Bogen 1910 .ends of said straps for uniting the end portions of the FOREI N PA straps fixed at the front of the body part to the end por- 1O 1 61,117 Great Britain "n:- p 1921 tions of the straps fixed at the back of the body part, whereby the dividing members are encircled by said united straps and thus together with any articles packed between them are positively located within the suitcase. 

